The Cuban Bloodhound
Becerillo
"By tradition, light-colored mastiffs were used to guard flocks, in the belief that they would not scare the sheep, and dark-colored ones to homes and to fight, because they terrorized people." Mark Derr
The Cuban Bloodhound inherited all the main characteristics of the the Spanish pursuit dogs. In the beginning the Cuban Bloodhound was used for combat against the Indians. 'This singular race was characterized as one of rare aggressiveness. It was a dog of great desire in its job, of much tenacity and of fearless courage. Men feared facing it as it was common that the dogs succeeded to kill without difficulty. It's bite was particularly strong. It was distinguished from the other dogs also for its resistance and its churlishness. (Rudeness of manners or temper; lack of kindness or courtesy). They were '24 inches high and 36 inches long (or thereabouts), with a head, breast, fore-legs and shoulders like a light-made mastiff, and stout somewhat enlongated, ears erect like a grey-hound (mostly cropped where they bend), and loins, croup, haunches, and tails like a greyhound, only thicker set. This combination, you may conceive, produces an animal of great nerve, strength, and agility, and such to all appearances, are these bloodhounds.' St. Augustine Herald 2-6-1840
Slavery became abolished in 1878 in Cuba, and in 1864 in the US, and with the renunciation of Spain to all its rights on the Cuban island in 1895, there was no need to use these dogs for their original function in Cuba or in the US. Subsequently, the Cuban Bloodhound disappeared quickly. However, it was only the name and cruel use of the 'Cuban Bloodhound' that disappeared. Decendants remain on remote farms in the backwoods of the rural south known as Brindle Bulldogs and Big Red Bulldogs. Although the Cuban Bloodhound as a race of dog no longer exists, their influence in the curs, hounds and mastiff/bullbreeds of the southeast remains.
The Cuban Bloodhound inherited all the main characteristics of the the Spanish pursuit dogs. In the beginning the Cuban Bloodhound was used for combat against the Indians. 'This singular race was characterized as one of rare aggressiveness. It was a dog of great desire in its job, of much tenacity and of fearless courage. Men feared facing it as it was common that the dogs succeeded to kill without difficulty. It's bite was particularly strong. It was distinguished from the other dogs also for its resistance and its churlishness. (Rudeness of manners or temper; lack of kindness or courtesy). They were '24 inches high and 36 inches long (or thereabouts), with a head, breast, fore-legs and shoulders like a light-made mastiff, and stout somewhat enlongated, ears erect like a grey-hound (mostly cropped where they bend), and loins, croup, haunches, and tails like a greyhound, only thicker set. This combination, you may conceive, produces an animal of great nerve, strength, and agility, and such to all appearances, are these bloodhounds.' St. Augustine Herald 2-6-1840
Slavery became abolished in 1878 in Cuba, and in 1864 in the US, and with the renunciation of Spain to all its rights on the Cuban island in 1895, there was no need to use these dogs for their original function in Cuba or in the US. Subsequently, the Cuban Bloodhound disappeared quickly. However, it was only the name and cruel use of the 'Cuban Bloodhound' that disappeared. Decendants remain on remote farms in the backwoods of the rural south known as Brindle Bulldogs and Big Red Bulldogs. Although the Cuban Bloodhound as a race of dog no longer exists, their influence in the curs, hounds and mastiff/bullbreeds of the southeast remains.
The Cuban Bloodhound was also commonly known as the Fila throughout the American South.
Pictured at right is a photo of a drawing and writings found on the wall of a secreted room along the Underground Railroad. The dog pictured is that of a crop eared, large headed, mastiff type dog. Certainly not what many would call a hound. The writing reads, "Fila bite the people".
Literacy was very uncommon among the slave population, though not unheard of. This person apparently wished to leave a reminder, in depictions and the written word, of the cruel use of slave dogs.
Pictured at right is a photo of a drawing and writings found on the wall of a secreted room along the Underground Railroad. The dog pictured is that of a crop eared, large headed, mastiff type dog. Certainly not what many would call a hound. The writing reads, "Fila bite the people".
Literacy was very uncommon among the slave population, though not unheard of. This person apparently wished to leave a reminder, in depictions and the written word, of the cruel use of slave dogs.
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Writings of Theodore Roosevelt concerning the Cuban Bloodhound
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